I will answer your question, no issues, i'm not shy on this. You have presented a interesting scenario because I can be both of those fisherman that you described. I try to be ethical as I possibly can and have different strategies to achieve that goal. I will when fishing for certain species in certain locations go out kill my limit and return home. (sockeye typically, sometimes local Chinook). In this case I use the most lethal and effective gear possible, big hooks heavy leader species selective gear in both size and color. Mission is go...kill...home. If you start seeing any by catch, adjust to eliminate this.
On the other hand I really enjoy hunting the biggest Chinook I can find, usually a long way from home adventure style fishing. I approach this in much the same way that I steelhead fish. I release 95% of the fish I catch on these trips and this is where I become the catch and release angler in your question. On these trips I will drop to a single 2/0-4/0 hook in a cut plug/whole herring, use heavy mainline/leader and an appropriate rod for the prey. I only fish off of downriggers as mooching is too lethal. We miss a good number of fish with this setup but it really reduces hooking mortality. Heavy gear allows the fish to brought to the boat quickly, a flick of the gaff and the fish is released from the hook. last years trip we probably hooked 50-60 fish over 4 days. I would say 1 fish was questionable on survival. I guess I could reduce my impact further by stropping fishing after 4 of 5 fish C&R, for the day. Sometimes we do this.
I think that I apply an ethical approach to fishing and like to think that others could think like this, care and treatment of fish goes a long way in their survival.
So Ken in a perfect world where we could have a low impact fishery you would support the following: No size limit, barbed hooks allowed, kill the first fish that you catch towards your limit then you are done.
I get that and respect your opinion, that would probably be lower impact, if we are going to go this far then why not just shut down sport fishing then we would have zero impact.
I am sure that your 10% impact can be reduced other ways as well. When your in lots of shakers......move. You could also use smaller hooks, look at all of the steelhead that you are able to hook and land on #2-1/0 single hooks. I think a max shank length/hook size, dare I say it circle hook reg would go a long way in reducing mortality. I know that you have about 3x the guiding experience which I have, 10 years vs 35 and I do respect your position but you have to see and know that there are other options to reduce mortality. Just killing your limit with the first fish you catch then your are done for the day is not the only solution.
I like discussions line this. The reason I deleted my post last night was because it was a little harsh and maybe to directed, it doesn't really contribute in a debate such as this. I am all for taking care of these fish while still getting out and enjoying all of the BC coast. If you ever want to chat further my phone is always on 604 671 0109..
Mike Panz